First Lesbian US Marshal Confirmed

Health care reform wasn't the only thing going on in the U.S. Senate last week. The body also confirmed Minneapolis assistant police chief Sharon Lubinski as the country's first openly gay U.S. marshal. Lubinski, who will be marshal for the Minnesota district, is also the first female marshal in the state. Lubinski was confirmed on Thursday and learned of the news later that day. The confirmation was made public Monday. "It was a nice Christmas present," Lubinski told the Associated Press. "It's very exciting. I think it's an exciting time to be serving in the federal system."

Lubinski, who was recommend to the president by Minnesota's Senator Amy Klobuchar, was nominated to the post in October. A native of Green Bay, Wis., who has been in law enforcement for 31 years, made headlines when she announced in a 1993 interview that she was a lesbian.

On Monday, the Associated Press reported that she said, "Being gay is part of who I am, but I think the even bigger piece here is that it's essential that law enforcement agencies reflect the communities that they serve, whether it's the state, local, or federal level."